In Webster, woman says man stabbed her with fork

A 67-year-old local man allegedly stabbed a female companion in the face with a fork over a flung hot dog.

Paul R. Fitzgerald of 105 School St., Apt. BR, is charged with assault and battery with a dangerous weapon (a fork).

About 6:43 p.m. Wednesday, police dispatch received a call from a hysterical woman at 105 School St. yelling that she had just been stabbed in the neck.

Officers Steven Cacciapouti, Joshua Collins and Bruce Hamm went to the apartment, not sure if the alleged stabber was still inside, according to Officer Cacciapouti’s report.

A woman, bleeding from the lower lip, said Mr. Fitzgerald had stabbed her in the face with a fork. She also was complaining about pain in her leg, which, she said, was caused by Mr. Fitzgerald, the police report said.

Police said both Mr. Fitzgerald and the woman seemed to be drunk.

Webster EMS said the woman’s small lip wound was consistent with being poked with a sharp object. In addition, the emergency workers said the woman had a “pretty substantial bruise” to her upper thigh, according to the report.

Mr. Fitzgerald had blood on his shirt and on his hands, but said it was his, police said. He said he was fighting with the woman but insisted he did not strike her.

Officer Cacciapouti asked Mr. Fitzgerald what started the argument and Mr. Fitzgerald said the woman threw a hot dog on the floor and he started to yell at her.

Mr. Fitzgerald was arraigned Thursday in Dudley District Court. His bail was set at $500. He is due back in court on April 4 for a pretrial hearing.